Strauss: We're facing biggest test

Andrew Strauss accepts England have become the most wanted team in Test cricket having elevated themselves from hunter to hunted.

Strauss led England to an emphatic 4-0 series whitewash of India during the summer, a result that installed them as the world's number one Test side. The first challenge to their supremacy will come during a three-match showdown with Pakistan in Dubai, which opens on January 17.

"We recognise that the next 12-18 months will be the biggest test we've had yet as a group," said Strauss, speaking at Lord's where it was announced a 10-year deal has been agreed for Investec to become title sponsor of home England Tests. "It's a different mindset being the hunted rather than the hunters. We'll have to retain that desperate desire to improve if we want to stay on top."

He added: "It's an exciting time for us. I'm certainly very excited about it, but we don't underestimate the size of the challenge.

"There are a lot of teams below us who want to knock us off our perch."

A two-Test series against Sri Lanka completes England's winter schedule, before the summer's action starts against the West Indies in May and concludes with a mouth-watering showdown with South Africa.

South Africa, who were recently held to a thrilling 1-1 series draw by Australia, are currently ranked third in the world and Strauss expects them to provide formidable opposition.

"We've seen a resurgence in West Indies cricket in recent times, so that will be a challenge for us," he said. "Hopefully, early-season conditions will suit us more than them.

"And we all know about the qualities of South Africa, they've just finished an outstanding series against Australia.

"They have a very good bowling attack and their record here is very good. They'll definitely be one of those teams looking to knock us off our perch and they'll be one of our bigger undertakings in the next 12-18 months."